A version of the following article appeared in the June 17, 2026, edition of The Charlotte Ledger, an e-newsletter with local business-y news and insights for Charlotte, N.C.
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Economic pressures are straining everyone in Charlotte's nonprofit ecosystem, from donors and volunteers to the families seeking help
Nourish Up, Charlotte’s largest food pantry, has noticed a recent increase in individuals requesting grocery delivery from its pantries due to high gas prices. (Ledger file photo)
by Lindsey Banks
One recent afternoon, before heading out on a grocery delivery route for Nourish Up, a volunteer filled up his gas tank. After spending 60 to 90 minutes delivering food to households in need across Charlotte, he returned to the same gas station and filled up again.
The volunteer discovered that he had spent about $12 in gas for that single volunteer shift, said Tina Postel, CEO of Nourish Up, Charlotte’s largest food pantry.
When volunteering starts to carry a noticeable financial cost, nonprofit leaders say it's a sign of just how difficult the economy has become for many Charlotte residents.
Last month, gas was over $4 a gallon in Charlotte — up more than $1 a gallon from a year ago. Grocery store prices are up about 3% compared to a year ago. A one-bedroom, 750 sq. ft. apartment averages $1,479 per month. Six years ago, pre-pandemic, renters were paying an average of $330 less.
It’s no wonder emergency services and crisis nonprofits across Charlotte are seeing more families seeking assistance. At the same time, organizations are grappling with higher operating expenses, shifts in charitable giving and concerns about how federal policy changes could affect the people they serve.
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